One hundred years ago, James B. Duke signed the Indenture of Trust that led to the creation of Duke University. In the last 100 years, Duke and our community have changed countless lives for the better.  On behalf of Duke’s Office of Gift Planning, we want to express our gratitude for your support as we celebrate Duke’s Centennial and the holiday season. 

This year, we’ve had the privilege of witnessing the profound impact that generous donors make each day—supporting Duke students, programs and faculty, patients and health care providers, and our local and global community. And through bequests, charitable trusts and annuities, and other thoughtful gifts, our planned gift donors are ensuring that so many more will benefit in the future. 

Each planned gift tells a unique story of generosity, passion, and legacy, and each is based on our shared belief in what is possible through the community of Duke, now and in the future. As we look towards the new year and Duke’s second century, we are truly honored to work with you to make those possibilities realities. 

With best wishes for a happy, healthy and peace-filled holiday season, 

About the author

Kristen Smalley

Assistant Vice President of Gift Planning

kristen.smalley@duke.edu

Kristen is an accomplished tax attorney with more than 15 years’ legal and tax experience. At Duke, she is responsible for working with donors who are including philanthropy as a component of their overall financial, retirement, and estate plans, as well as donors who give non-cash gifts to Duke such as stock, real estate, or company interests. When she’s not at work, Kristen pounds the pavement training for races and half marathons.